The Italian Euromelanoma Day: evaluation of results and implications for future prevention campaigns. (11th December 2012)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Suppa, Mariano; Altomare, Gianfranco; Cannavò, Serafinella P.; Capizzi, Rodolfo; Catricalà, Caterina; Colombo, Enrico; Fargnoli, Maria C.; Fossati, Barbara; Frascione, Pasquale; Lisi, Paolo; Santini, Marcello; Scalvenzi, Massimiliano; Peris, Ketty; Italian investigators for the Euromelanoma prevention campaign
• Is Part Of: International journal of dermatology. Volume 53:Number 6(2014:Jun.)
• Page Start: 699
• Page End: 706
• Publication Date: 2012-12-11
• Subjects: Dermatology -- Periodicals; 616.5
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-4632.2012.05783.x
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0011-9059

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" xml:lang="en" id="ijd5783-abs-0001"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="ijd5783-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Background</title> <p>Melanoma incidence/mortality is increasing worldwide. "Euromelanoma Day" is a pan‐European campaign for skin cancer prevention. Results of the 2010 Euromelanoma Day in Italy are reported herein.</p> </sec> <sec id="ijd5783-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Materials and methods</title> <p>A questionnaire was used to collect data on participants' characteristics and suspected skin cancers.</p> </sec> <sec id="ijd5783-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Result</title> <p>A total of 1085 participants was screened (64.1% females, median age 44 years). Suspicion rate, detection rate, and positive predictive values for melanoma were 1.3, 0.28 and 21.4%, respectively. Poorly educated, ≥35 years old, pale‐skinned males were at higher risk for skin cancer than highly educated, <35 years old, darker‐skinned females, although the latter groups reported sun‐seeking behaviors. Full skin examination and dermoscopy were performed in 85.5 and 79.2% of participants.</p> </sec> <sec id="ijd5783-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>The 2010 Italian Euromelanoma Day produced good results in terms of melanoma detection/suspicion rates, likely due to the extensive use of full clinical and dermoscopic examinations. The campaign failed to attract many high‐risk individuals. Targeted communication strategies are needed to this regard.</p> </sec> </abstract>